New Orleans VooDoo linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson 'excited' about new season

When the VooDoo opened camp last Saturday, team owner Dan Newman joked about the lack of a roster. Of course, the returning players probably didn’t know who was who either.

Of the 34 players in camp, only seven played for the VooDoo in 2011. And six of those players were injured for part of the season or joined the team midseason.

Linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson is the only one who played in all 18 games. Jackson, who led the VooDoo with 89 tackles and eight interceptions last season, said he had a different feeling about this year than in his previous five seasons of arena football.

“I feel really, really excited,” Jackson said. “I always come in focused, but this year I’m excited as well. We brought a good crop of players in, and I’m excited to see what Coach (Pat) O’Hara can do. Out of anybody we could have gotten, Coach O’Hara was the best candidate.”

The Arena Football League rule of players only signing one-year contracts enabled VooDoo General Manager Jon Norris and O’Hara a chance to revamp the roster. O’Hara was happy just to get the guys on the field.

“The last six months have been interesting. You spend so much time evaluating, and now we can finally get on the field and out of the office,” O’Hara said.

WHAT’S NEW: Newman always plays close to the vest when letting information out, especially when it comes to letting on about promotions.

“I heard from fans and we saw most of that with fanfest, a lot of activity during the game and on the field,” Newman said. “But we’re going to take it up a notch with atmosphere just across the board with stuff.”

Newman said there would be some more things going on inside the New Orleans Arena this season but also outside, with the possibility of post-game concerts.

ROCCO, THIS ISN’T CLEVELAND: New VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco came over from the Cleveland Gladiators, and the Cincinnati native is a rookie when it comes to traveling. Rocco arrived in New Orleans last week, his first time in the Big Easy, and he came at the right time, just before Mardi Gras.

“It’s going to be fun,” Rocco said. “I got down here with my girlfriend, and we went to some things (on Mardi Gras). That was interesting, a very different lifestyle than what I’m used to.”

NOTES: The VooDoo practiced for the first time in helmets and pads Tuesday, highlighted by a full scrimmage. … The VooDoo begins the season with a bye week as the league kicks off March 9. However, the team will open the season with two home games March 18 (vs. Philadelphia at 3 p.m.) and March 23 (vs. Milwaukee at 7 p.m.). … The team will leave Friday for Saturday’s scrimmage at Jacksonville. … Last year, away games were broadcast on NiftyTV.com, but this season, games will be on UStream.tv.